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Securely communicating information over the internet is critical if you're working in the legal profession. As more large-scale cyberattacks happen to institutions across the globe, the need for private and secure internet access is growing. Attorney-client communication must be private and secure at all times; otherwise, information could be exposed that could ruin a case, blow a settlement or negate the privilege altogether.

As required under an attorney’s duty of confidentiality to their client and privilege, it is important to recognize the unseen cyber risks that can jeopardize a case or even the internal networks of a lawyer’s firm.

Nefarious hackers are becoming more sophisticated in their approach. Hacking into your device or network has never been easier. Getting control of your internet connection is often the key to a swift digital attack against you and your device.

Many larger law firms have existing access policies and terms of service for their networks that employees must abide by. This typically includes how to securely connect to your work network, files and emails. I find that smaller firms and solo practitioners, who do not carry a large IT budget, rarely have such protections without the right knowledge. Hackers are well aware of this trend.

In my experience, most lawyers are not aware of the threats unsafe internet and Wi-Fi connections can carry. With my background providing VPNs, I know they can resolve many of the immediate dangers posed to attorneys' clients and business associates.

In short, a business VPN encrypts your entire internet connection, making it much harder for someone to hack into your device, steal case files or obtain evidence or communications to disclose publicly. In addition to these protections, a VPN prevents your internet service provider from accessing your internet activity in communications. This can be valuable in virtually any profession, from the legal field to journalism — especially with case sensitive information.

According to IBM, the average breach costs a company nearly $4 million. The legal industry is far from immune, with one in four law firms reporting at least one breach. Without the proper access policies (including a VPN, antivirus software, a secure email connection and other measures), it is impossible to ensure that your firm's network is reasonably secure, putting attorney-client privilege at risk.

If you're using a VPN, be sure it's connected before you connect to internal networks or send any sort of communication. Here are a couple of other tips to keep in mind.

1. You can set your VPN to connect automatically on startup. This allows your firm to be automatically protected as soon as a work device is turned on.

2. Make sure your employees know how to access the VPN. Every employee using a work device should ensure they are connected, even if they're in the office.

3. Keep in mind that your network is only as secure as its weakest point. If your client accesses your communications through unsafe, unsecure means, hackers can easily intercept the messages. Ensure your clients are aware of the risks.

4. Develop an access policy. This allows you to spell out the procedures — for both employees and clients — required to protect attorney-client privilege. Make the access policy easy to find, and distribute it regularly to everyone associated with the company.

With one major breach, the reputation of your firm could be altered forever. Having a reliable access policy is a reliable way to handle the threats that come with internet access. Be proactive in your approach; otherwise, you'll face the inevitable.